whakawhetai
1. (verb) (-tia) to give thanks, be grateful - reputed to have been adopted from Tahitian in post European contact times.
E whakawhetai ana te komiti ki te kaha o Mohi Tūrei ki te tuhi mai i ēnei kōrero i runga i tōna tuarā, i roto i ōna māuiuitanga taumaha (TP 9/1908:3). / The committee is grateful for Mohi Tūrei's energy in writing these accounts while on his back with his serious illnesses.
2. (modifier) thanking.
He rā whakawhetai nā mātou te Hāterei, te 24 o ngā rā o Mei, ko te rā i whānau ai te Kuīni (TWMNT 28/5/1873:57). / Saturday, 24 May, is the day that the Queen was born and is our day to give thanks.
3. (noun) thanks, gratitude, appreciation.
Ki te Matua i te rangi ngā whakamoemiti me ngā whakawhetai mō tēnei manaakitanga nui i a matou i puta ora katoa ai mātou i roto i tēnei parekura (TTT 1/9/1930:2137). / To the Father in heaven we give praise and thanks for this great kindness to us in saving us in this disaster.
